Russian in the 21st Century

Russian is a language with a deep literary and intellectual tradition, and a long-standing spirit of innovation. Learn Russian to read Dostoevsky, Tolstoy, and Chekhov in the original. It is the native language of Tchaikovsky and Mussorgsky, Rachmaninoff and Stravinsky, Mendeleev and Kovalevskaya, Tsiolkovsky and Gagarin, Stanislavsky and Eisenstein, Kandinsky and Chagall, Pavlova and Balanchine, Akhmatova and Nabokov.

Russia is a land of striking contrasts and a fascinating place to explore, from the iconic architecture of Moscow and St. Petersburg to the expansive northern landscapes along the Volga River and across Siberia. Study abroad and build lasting friendships with Russian peers.

In a complex ethnic, linguistic, cultural, political, and economic environment, Russian will be of great importance in the twenty-first century.

Russian is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world and is one of the six official languages of the United Nations, UNESCO, and UNICEF. It ranks alongside English, Chinese, Hindi/Urdu, and Spanish as a major world language.

Russian is the language of the largest country in the world, one rich in natural resources including gas, oil, diamonds, gold, and freshwater reserves. It is also one of the few nuclear and space research powers and will remain a country of enduring global significance.

Russian is increasingly important for international business and trade, as institutions across Russia, Eastern Europe, and Central Asia deepen their integration with American and global partners.